Creating Halloween Traditions

In the weeks before Halloween, my friend and I get together for our annual Halloween activities. I always look forward to this time because it reminds me of the Fall season on the East Coast and all the fun I had as a kid. I try to create these same traditions and memories with my kids.

Pumpkin Carving
One of the most basic essential Halloween activities is pumpkin carving. It’s messy and tricky but it must be done. I have the kids use a marker and draw the design for the face of the pumpkin. Next I cut the top off and let the kids have at it with pulling and scraping out the inside of the pumpkin, separating out the seeds from the other pieces. I am in charge of using the knife to cut out pumpkin face design as best I can. Usually I end up chopping off a tooth or making one eye much bigger than the other. I just hope the kids don’t notice. In true form, our Jack O Lanterns are usually jacked up looking 🙂

Baking Pumpkin Seeds
After the kids separated out the pumpkin seeds from the other parts, I wash the seeds and pat them dry. Place them on an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown. These pumpkin seeds will turn out nice and crunchy and have lots of fiber.

Caramel Apple Treats
Dipping granny smith apples in hot caramel is a fun and unexpected way to top off your Halloween activities. Not all your activities have to do with pumpkins.

When we are all done with our activities, we put the Jack O Lanterns outside and add a light. Then we go drive around the neighborhood and check out the early Halloween decorations.

These are our simple Halloween traditions. What are yours? Happy Halloween!